COMPANY

We create extraordinary value for our clients, people and community.

While many advisors say clients are their priority, Smith + Howard lives and breathes a promise of personal, responsive client service.

We hire smart, engaging professionals who find motivation and satisfaction in learning about our clients’ businesses, challenges and goals. From that vantage point, we’re positioned to provide key strategic advice and national-firm services that enable our clients to move their mission forward.

Service is such an important part of our culture that if we’re not serving clients, we’ll often be found serving in other ways. Many of us plant roots deep in our communities and find value and satisfaction in serving others where we live. When the needs expand beyond our neighborhoods, we can also be found on nonprofit boards or joining service projects that broaden our reach and impact.

History

Focused on the future, built on a strong foundation.

Half a century into our firm’s life, we remain in awe of the vision of Jim Howard and Joe Smith. Little did they know just how significant the impact of Smith + Howard would be to thousands of business owners and their businesses. Nor did they dare to ponder how many individuals would find rewarding careers and financial success because they worked at Smith + Howard.

Today, our family of companies is expanding and our client resume includes highly successful, profitable and entrepreneurially driven individuals and businesses from around the country and the world.

In 2020, we launched a bold 10-year vision. As with our founding, the most important elements are great clients and employees. So, we invite you to join us as we continue to put our acumen and creative thinking to work through unmatched service with expanded service offerings and growth opportunities at every turn.

Pictured are (left to right): Jim Howard, co-founding partner and former Managing Partner; Wade. St. John, former Audit Practice Leader; Sean Taylor, current CEO of Smith + Howard Advisory LLC and John Lucht, former Managing Partner.

history

Our Purpose, Our Mission and Our Values

We are driven by creating extraordinary value for our clients, people and community. We have a passionate commitment to responsive, personal service.

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Clients

Passionate service drives our growth

It excites us to serve our clients. This shows in our responsive, creative and practical approach to providing valuable solutions and meeting client needs. Long-term relationships with clients are the foundation of our firm. Together, we form a team committed to our clients’ success.

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People

We grow stronger together

Our firm is a united group of bright, motivated individuals who embrace our values, purpose and vision. Rewarding and retaining the best people ensures the future success of our people and the firm.

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Excellence

Smarter, better, every day

We believe in doing everything with excellence and eagerly seek to improve ourselves and our operations. We take great pride in the professional quality of our work. Continued excellence motivates us to expand services which benefit our clients and the community.

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Integrity

Doing the right thing

We act with integrity and honesty because our reputation is our most valuable asset. As such, we will not sacrifice quality or profits for the sake of growth. In doing so, we ensure that the firm remains respected and transcends generations.

A Culture of Opportunity and Growth

We believe in opportunity and integrity. Get to know the Smith + Howard way.

  • Values-driven and service-minded
  • Passionate and dedicated
  • Energized by growth opportunities and new challenges
  • Creative and flexible
  • Committed to caring
Community Impact

Smith + Howard + Community

Community service is our love language. Whether it’s an organized company effort or a personal project, Smith + Howard welcomes opportunities to give back to our community. We empower our people to bring causes they care about to the forefront while always keeping an ear to the ground for a chance for our teams to give back locally and nationally. We even make community service a key piece of our internship program. We value it that much.

The support we provide our community and team extends far beyond hands-on projects. Over the last 10 years, we have contributed over $5 million to nonprofit organizations and have completed nearly 20,000 community service hours. In 2021, Smith + Howard established a “Community Involvement Day” and an employee matching program through a donor advised fund. Both initiatives support our purpose to create extraordinary value for our clients, people and community.

Our community service team commits to 8+ firm-wide community service projects each year. Some of the organizations we have supported in the past include: United Way, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer, Habitat for Humanity, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, Camp Twin Lakes and The William Breman Jewish Home. There are many others that cover a diverse range of causes and projects.

Community service: another way we live out our purpose of providing extraordinary value to our Clients, People and Community.

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Leaders

Enterprising, values-driven advisors

Partners + Principals

Mark E. Abrams
CPA/PFS, CFP®
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Tim F. Agnew
CPA/PFS, CFP®
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Paul L. Atkinson
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard PC
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Marc A. Azar
CPA/ABV, CVA
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Kimberly Bland
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard PC
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Kyle Bryant
CPA
Office Managing Partner, Chattanooga
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Chris M. Conrad
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Bob Cutolo
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Derek Daniel
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard PC
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Melissa Horne
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Timothy R.J. Howe
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
David Lee
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard PC
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Sabre Linahan
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Josh Moore
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Cas L. Pittman
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
James Purgason
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
M. Christine Ratliff
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Kevin Rose
CPA, CFP™
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
J. Sean Spitzer
CPA
President
Smith + Howard PC
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Daniel Stahl
CPA
Principal
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Sean C. Taylor
CPA
Chief Executive Officer
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Debbie R. Torrance
CPA/PFS
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Lori G. Wagnon
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard PC
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Scott Whalen
CPA
Partner
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Marvin H. Willis
CPA/CITP, CGMA
Partner
Smith + Howard PC
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Leslie Wright
CPA
Principal
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC

Managers

Kaitlin Becker
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Adam Bridges
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Nick Carden
CPA
Senior Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Matt Crine
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Nicole Davis
CPA
Senior Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Dailey Dewling
CPA
Senior Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Deb Douglas
Senior Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Thomas Eischeid
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Jennifer Fryar
EA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Slayton Gilmore
CPA
Senior Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Jonathan M. Haynes
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Tyler Heard
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Andrew Hedrich
CPA
Senior Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Russ Kanner
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Caleb Lloyd
CPA
Senior Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Beth Margedant
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Lauren Morgan
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Dustin Muse
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Hans Nielsen
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Percy Owen
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Claudia Perez
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Amanda Popolare
Director of Tax Process + Development
Sarah Puglise
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Daniel Sage
CPA
Senior Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Erin Sak
CPA
Senior Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Josh Stinson
CPA
Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Oliver Villacorta
CISSP, HCISPP, CCSP
Senior Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC
Megan Worth
CPA
Senior Manager
Smith + Howard Advisory LLC

Shared Services

Jordan Anderson
Human Resources Manager
Julie H. Barnes
Chief Marketing Officer
Jessie Blankenship
Director of Operations
Terri Bunten Guthrie
Business Development
Darcy Copeland
Business Development
Kerry Anne Eales
Chief Human Resources Officer
Tiffany Harworth
Manager of Talent and Learning Development
Jason King
Technology Operations Manager
Joshua Kirk
Chief Technology Officer
Shannon Mantovani
Operations Manager
Nancy McFerrin
Marketing Manager
D. Alan Najjar
Director of Business Development
Dan Smith
Chief Operating Officer
Brandy Swanson
Senior Business Advisor
Laurie Ann Tidwell
Tax e-Services Manager

Awards + Recognition

One of America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms for 2023 by Forbes, based on recommendations by clients and peers.

How can we help?

If you have any questions and would like to connect with a team member please call 404-874-6244 or contact an advisor below.

CONTACT AN ADVISOR